The Presbytery Plan outlines plans for charges and congregations for the next 10 years,
specifically number of ministers, number of buildings, unions/linkages, etc. The detailed
document can be viewed by clicking here (link coming soon).
The background of trends in the Church of Scotland nationally that informed the Presbytery Plan includes the following:
- Income to the Church has declined (although not in Kiltarlity Church)
- Church membership has declined (also not in our churches)
- The number of ministers is expected to decrease by a further 20% in the next 5 years
- There are too many buildings for the church to sustain.
- The need to plant new churches, e.g., the Tornagrain area of Inverness
Decisions affected Kiltarlity and Kirkhill are as follows:
- The linkage of Kiltarlity and Kirkhill will become a Union. This means a joint Kirk Session, etc and one combined parish
- The two congregations need to decide between ourselves which building or buildings would better suit the on-going worship and missional activity of the united charge
- There will continue to be a full-time minister to look after the united parishes of Kiltarlity and Kirkhill but this will be on Reviewable Tenure (i.e. not a permanent post)
- Nothing will change until there is a vacancy (or unless the minister agrees to the change
What Next?
A working group of 3 people from each congregation will be set up to explore options for buildings etc and to create a recommendation to be taken to Presbytery. There is no defined timeframe for this – we will take our time and ensure we create a well thought through recommendation that is good for both congregations. If you have any feedback, suggestions or questions then please contact either Jonathan Humphrey, David Garvie (Kiltarlity) or Frances Grant (Kirkhill).